Ophelia Pain

The special state Senate committee which for months has been looking into last year's disputed special election in Memphis' District 29 voted 4-1 Thursday afternoon to recommend voiding Sen. Ophelia Fords election. The Democrat's 13-vote margin over Republican Terry Roland has been steadily eroded as votes were found to have been cast by dead people, felons, and voters outside District 29.

Even two former Democratic defenders of Ford's position, Jim Kyle of Memphis and Roy Herron of Dresden, joined Republicans in Thursday's vote to void the election. Memphis lawyer David Cocke, who represents Ford, vowed to take the case back to court before a vote by the full Senate might be scheduled for next Wednesday.